Some authors use this theme to add an element of redemption. The husband who initially hates his wife can go through a transformation, which makes for an engaging character arc. It gives room for the development of complex emotions and relationships, much like in real - life situations where people's feelings can change over time.
One is 'The Flame and the Flower' by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. In this novel, the initial relationship between the main characters has elements of the husband's dislike for the wife. However, as the story unfolds, their relationship develops into something more complex and loving.
The wife could explore other types of books or hobbies that they can both enjoy together. This way, she still gets her entertainment, and the husband doesn't have to deal with the romance novels. For example, they could both get into mystery novels or start gardening together. This would bring them closer and might ease the husband's dislike for the wife's romance novels.
Power dynamics is a significant theme too. In historical romance novels, there are often differences in power between the husband and wife, which can contribute to the estrangement. For instance, the husband may have more social or economic power. The story then may revolve around how they navigate these power differences to reconcile. Also, the theme of self - growth is common. Both characters grow as individuals during the process of dealing with their estrangement.
Maybe he feels threatened by the romantic ideals in those novels. He might think his wife will compare their relationship to the fictional ones and find it lacking.
There's also 'The Duke and I' by Julia Quinn. The main characters, Daphne and Simon, have their own issues that lead to a sort of estrangement at times. Set in the Regency era, it's filled with the charm and social intrigue typical of historical romance novels. Their relationship is a roller - coaster ride of emotions, making it an engaging read for fans of this genre.
One common theme is forgiveness. The estranged couple has to forgive each other for past mistakes to move forward in their relationship.
There could be many reasons. Maybe she has had some past traumatic experiences related to sex that make her uncomfortable with sex - related stories. Or perhaps she was raised in a very conservative environment where such topics are considered taboo and she has internalized that view.
One such novel could be 'The Forbidden Love of Elizabeth and William'. In this story, Elizabeth despises William initially due to his arrogance and their clashing social statuses.
Characteristics of these novels include the portrayal of a shared journey. Husband and wife often face life's ups and downs together, and this is a central theme. They learn about each other, grow together, and sometimes even change for the better because of their relationship. For instance, in 'The Time Traveler's Wife', they have to deal with the husband's time - traveling, which is a huge obstacle, but they find ways to adapt and keep their love alive. There's also a focus on the power of love to transform, whether it's in terms of personal growth or in how they view the world around them.
Another characteristic is the portrayal of shared experiences. Whether it's facing hardships together, like in 'Gone with the Wind' where Scarlett and Rhett deal with the chaos of the Civil War, or simply enjoying the small moments of life. Husband and wife romance novels often show how these shared experiences shape their relationship. They also tend to show the growth of the characters within the relationship. As the story progresses, the husband and wife both learn from each other and become better versions of themselves.